Edna Dowling

(From Ozark Funeral Home)

Edna Faye Dowling, 86, of Springfield, Missouri, passed away on May 26, 2026, at 1:32 p.m., following a courageous battle with ovarian cancer.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Ozark Funeral Home of Anderson, Missouri. A graveside service will be held at Owsley Union Cemetery, located at 13391 State Highway 76, Rocky Comfort, Missouri 64861. Family and friends are warmly invited to gather in honor of Edna’s life and enduring legacy.

A memorial service will also be held at the Wilson’s Creek congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses, located at 3886 S. Farm Road 135, Springfield, MO 65807.

Edna was born on January 8, 1940, in Lutie, Missouri, to Joseph Dured Lee and Mary Jane Lee. She was raised with strong values of faith, hard work, and perseverance—principles that guided her throughout her life. She spent her childhood and early adult years in Nevada, Texas, and Colorado, later settling in Springfield, Missouri, where she lived for the majority of her life.

Edna was preceded in death by her father, Joseph D. Lee; her mother, Mary J. Lee; her husband of many years, Tony J. Dowling; her son, Tony B. Dowling; and her beloved brother, Robert “Bob” Lee.

She is survived by her brother, Joseph Lee; her son, Steve Dowling; her daughter, Pamela Stacye; her grandchildren, Brennan Dowling, Nicholas Dowling, Elliot Dowling, Brooke Purvis, Jaedon Stacye, and MacKenzie Stacye; and her great‑grandchildren, Soleil Dowling and Turner Dowling. Edna was a loving and nurturing mother and grandmother, and her family holds countless cherished memories of her warmth and devotion.

Edna was deeply committed to her faith as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Her beliefs were the foundation of her life, providing strength, comfort, and purpose through every season. She remained steadfast in her devotion from childhood until her passing.

A woman of determination, curiosity, and entrepreneurial spirit, Edna was a lifelong student of spiritual, scientific, and health‑related topics. She continually sought greater understanding and generously shared her knowledge with others. Her inquisitive nature and love of learning stayed with her throughout her life.

Never afraid of hard work or new challenges, Edna pursued a variety of business ventures. Alongside her husband, she operated a refuse service, a home construction business, and a gutter‑cover manufacturing company—an enterprise she later owned and managed independently, until her death.

Those who knew Edna will remember her strength, independence, determination, and unwavering perseverance. She leaves behind a legacy of faith, hard work, and love that will continue to inspire her family and all who had the privilege of knowing her.

Though she will be deeply missed, her memory will live on in the hearts of her family, friends, and all whose lives she touched.

As one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Edna looked forward to the fulfillment of God’s promise of a resurrection and the opportunity to live again in His righteous new world. Her hope is beautifully expressed in the Bible:

“The righteous themselves will possess the earth
and they will live forever on it.”
— Psalm 37:29